Hole forming device



June 8, 1948 E. R. JOYNES 2,442,813

' HOLE FORMING DEVIGE- Filed June 7, 1946 I A TTORNY,

Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE HOLE FORMING DEVICE Ernest R. Joynes, Oakland, Calif.

Application June 7, 1946, Serial No. 674,988

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for forming a hole in a can or like receptacle. More particularly, it has to do with a device for forming a hole in a sealed can or like receptacle containing a liquid.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming a hole in a can or like receptacle which is capable of breaking away the metal in such manner as to form the hole without detachment of the thus broken away portion therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming a hole in a can or like receptacle which is adapted to puncture and sever the metal of the can in such manner as to form the hole and still maintain the thus severed portion as an integral part of the can.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hole forming device for cans or like receptacles which is adapted to form a hole therein by severing the metal at separated points and bending the thus severed metal portion in such manner as to cause it to remain as an integral part of the can and yet offer no obstruction to the completed hole.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation view, with parts in section, showing the hole forming device of the present invention in position for forming a hole in the top of a can.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view, with a part in section, showing the hole forming device after it has punctured the metal top at spaced points, with the severed -portion in the process of being bent or curled.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the structure of one of the pointed blade elements of the cutting member.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view, partly in section, showing the hole forming device after the pointed blade elements have been advanced below the edges of the hole in the can top with the body of the cutting member in engagement with the severed edges of the top thereof.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, showing the hole forming device fully inserted within the hole in the can top with the tapered spreading member in abutting engagement with the severed edges of the top thereof and the severed portion depending from a severed edge and still attached thereto.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing the hole in the can top as filled by a cork or similar sealing member.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, "the numeral l0 designates a metal can containing a liquid having tightly sealed cover or top I I. The hole forming device of the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral I2, and positioned as shown in Figure l, for forming a hole in the top of the can Ill, comprises a handle member [3 which is provided with a flange M adjacent the base thereof. Disposed below the flange M of the handle member l3 and carried thereby is a tapered spreading member l5.

Arranged in association with the tapered spreading member l5 and depending therefrom is a cutting member 16 which includes a pair of spaced semi-circular shaped pointed blade elements l1 and I8. As the structure of the pointed blade elements is the same, only one will be described in detail. The pointed blade element I1 is provided with an inclined upper surface l9, Figure 3, which surface adjacent the one side thereof as indicated by the numeral 20 is sharp, while that of said surface adjacent the other side thereof as indicated by the numeral 2| is round. The blade element I1 is cut out along its inner peripheral edge so as to form a convex shaped blade 22 on the outside, the inner portion 23 intermediate the edges of the convex blade being thicker than the latter edges.

The pointed blade elements I! and I8 are disposed or arranged so that the sharp side 20 of the upper inclined surface l9 of the blade element I! is complemental to the sharp side of the upper inclined surface of the other blade element l8 to thereby form a transversely inclined extending crotch having a pointed configuration at one side as indicated by the numeral 24 in Figure 1 and a rounded configuration at the opposite side as indicated by the numeral 25 in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the hole forming device has been rotated to the extent as to show the face of the crotch opposite to that of the device in Figure 1. With the blade elements l1 and I8 arranged as just described it is apparent that the raised portion 23 of the blade element I! will likewise be complemental to the raised portion of the blade element l 8, and thereby form a projecting portion intermediate and spaced from the convex shaped blades of the elements I! and I8.

In operation of the hole forming device, the device is positioned on the top H of the carnlll so that the pointed blade elements I! and 18 are in contact with the exterior surface of the top H, whereupon the operator exerts a downward pressure on the handle member l3 while holding the device substantially rigid. The downward pressure causes the pointed ends of the blade elements l1 and I8 to pierce or penetrate the top H at separated points. Upon continuance of the downward pressure, the convex shaped blades on the blade elements in turn sever the portion of the top intermediate thereof, and simultaneously therewith the projecting portion intermediate and spaced from the convex shaped blades bears against or presses down on the edges of the severed portion of the top within the confines of the blades in a manner such as to bend or curve such portion, as shown in Figure 2.

In continuance of the downward pressure, the blade elements are advanced beyond and free of the severed edges of the hole in the top of the can with the severed portion intermediate the convex shaped blades being subjected to a further pressing and bending action, whereupon the body of the cutting member I6 is in engagement with the severed edges of the top thereof, as shown in Figure- 4. With the further insertion or advancement of the hole forming device through the thus formed hole .in the cap vl I, the cut out or severed portion, indicated by the numeral 26, Figure 4, is finally ejected from the complemental blades, and is pushed backwardly and upwardly toward the inner face of the can top by engagement of the spreading member IS with the severed edges of the thus formed hole. The advancement of the hole forming device into the hole is continued until the flange I4 is in abutting engagement with the upper surface of the can top, the position shown in Figure 5, whereupon the hole forming device is withdrawn. Upon withdrawal of the device from the thus formed hole, a sealing member like a cork 21 is placed in. said hole as shown in Figure, 6.

It will be understood that, the hole forming device may be constructed and arranged asv best suited to meet the requirements of use and that, except as pointed out in theaccompanying claims, the invention is not restricted to the particular construction and arrangement shown and described herein.

I claim:

1. In a hole forming device, a tapered spreading member, and a circular cutting member in association therewith and depending therefrom,

said cutting member including a pair of spaced semi-circular shaped pointed blade elements, each of said elements having its upper surface inclined and its inner peripheral edge out out therealong so as to form on the outside a convexshaped blade, the inner portion intermediate the edges of the convex-shaped blade being thicker than the latter edges, said upper surface adjacent one side thereof being sharp and that adjacent the opposite side being round, said pair of elements being arranged so that the sharp side of one element is complemental to the sharp side of the other element to thereby form a transversely inclined extending crotch having a pointed configuration at one side and a rounded configuration at the opposite side with a projecting portion intermediate and spaced from the convex shaped blades of said elements.

2. ,In a hole forming device, a handle member having a flange adjacent its base thereof, a tapered spreading member positioned below said flange and carried by said member, and a circular cutting member in association with said spreading member and depending therefrom, said cutting member including a pair of spaced semicircular shaped pointed blade elements, each of said elements having its upper surface inclined and its inner peripheral edge cut out therealong soas to form on the outside a convex-shaped blade, the inner portion intermediate the edges of the convex-shaped blade being thicker than the latter edges, said upper surface adjacent one side thereof being sharp and that adjacent the opposite side being round, said pair of elements being arranged so that the sharp sideof one element is complemental to the sharp side of the other element to thereby form a transversely inclined extending crotch having a pointed configuration at one side and a rounded configuration at the opposite side with a projecting portion intermediate and spaced from the convex shaped blades of said elements.

ERNEST R. JOYNES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 64,891 McFarland May 21, 1867 1,502,465 Garret July 22, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS I Number Country Date 3,771 Great Britain 1915 

